The rugby world cup came to an end a couple of days ago, and the Springboks are making the headlines again: after their short victory 12-11 against the All Blacks in final of the tournament in Paris, making them the best nation in rugby ever with four world cups in their trophy case (1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023), the South Africans are about to work and collaborate with a coach they already know quite well.
Johan C. Erasmus, also known as Rassie, will be the head coach of the Boks again after having led them to the supreme title in 2019. After the world cup in Japan, the choice had been made to leave the job to Jacques Nienaber even though Erasmus was keeping a significant position in the staff of the team. He was particularly present in the last world cup and made adjustments and changes that were helpful to the team and enabled South Africa to win the quarter, the semi and the final each time with a one-point lead that ended up being decisive.
The winning coach of the last world cup, Jacques Nienaber, is about to join the Irish club of Leinster. Nienaber gone to Europe, Erasmus can now feel comfortable in a job he knows very well, and he now has four years to get prepared for the upcoming world cup of 2027. Too early to talk about a fifth title, and the time to celebrate is not over yet, but the challenge promises to be tough: when you win two straight world cup titles (2019, 2023), how do you handle the necessary renewal of a team who is the best in the world?
In 2027, some of the 2019 and 2023 heroes will be a little tired or worn out. Can they be competitive no matter what? Is the next generation going to do the job? Ask Australia, they may have answers to give you.